Overweight Children

"Low-Grade Systemic Inflammation in Overweight Children", Marjolein Visor, PhD et al, PEDIATRICS Vol. 107 No. 1 January 2001, p. e13. The study population included 3512 children 8 to 16 years of age who were participants of the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), 1988-1994, a representative sample of the US population. In a recent meta-analysis of 7 prospective studies, elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration has been shown to predict future risk of coronary heart disease. CRP is an acute-phase protein and a sensitive marker for systemic inflammation. CRP concentrations well below the conventional clinical upper limit of normal of 1 mg/dL have been associated with a twofold to threefold increase in risk of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, peripheral arterial disease, and coronary heart disease mortality in healthy men and women. These findings demonstrate the potential detrimental consequences of elevated CRP concentrations on health.  

Human adipose tissue expresses and releases the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6, potentially inducing low-grade systemic inflammation in persons with excess body fat. To limit potential confounding by inflammation-related diseases and subclinical cardiovascular disease, they tested the hypothesis that overweight is associated with low-grade systemic inflammation in children as measured by serum CRP concentration and white blood cell count. Results. Elevated CRP was present in 7.1% of the boys and 6.1% of the girls concluding that overweight is associated with higher CRP concentrations and higher white blood cell counts, suggesting a state of low-grade systemic inflammation in overweight children. 

Not mentioned in the article, but we have to ask, why the inflammation? What comes to mind is a good possibility of "leaky gut". With resultant foreign materials circulating and overworked Phase II detoxification, the liver is unable to convert these materials to a water-soluble state for renal clearance. If the liver is congested, such fat-soluble foreign materials would store in fat/adipose tissue. The elevated CRP indicator for low-grade inflammation seen in these overweight children, is a normal response to this type of "temporary" storage. The overweight then can be due to many reasons such as additional adipose tissue being deposited for needed storage space, the infusion of materials of inflammation holding in the tissue and obviously the storage itself of the excess materials from over eating of a low nutrient diet. Overeating, also an effort to satisfy cravings for the missing nutrients, helps lead to an impaired digestive tract. The resulting raised CRP shows such children to be moving into a dangerous condition at a very young age. The logical approach is to clean up the diet, repair the gut (liver included) and detox the system. Consider NutriClear to allow the gut to heal, and Livotrit Plus and Beta TCP to help the liver detox, and activate the lymph system with exercise, water and Lymphatic Drainage (HR #2). Other problems will need to be addressed, but this would be a good start.

"Colostrum and Milk-Derived Peptide Growth Factors for the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Disorders," Playford RJ, Macdonald CE, Johnson WS, Am J Clin Nutr, 2000;72:5-14. Colostrum is the specific first diet of mammalian neonates and is rich in immunoglobulins, antimicrobial peptides and growth factors.  Recent data suggest that colostral fractions, or individual peptides that are present in colostrum, might be beneficial in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, which include inflammatory bowel disease, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug-induced gut injury and chemotherapy-induced mucositis.  In necrotizing enterocolitis, a continuous infusion of epidermal growth factor resulted in remarkable improvement in gut histology in a child with this condition.  The use of whole hyperimmune colostrum rather than specific antibodies purified from milk or other sources has been beneficial in stimulating the repair of the gut after infectious diarrhea, as well as enhancing the elimination of the infectious organism by the presence of growth factors and nonspecific antibacterial factors in colostrum and milk, respectively.

"The Clinical Use of Bovine Colostrum," Nitsch A and Nitsch FP, Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine, 1998;13(2):110-118. In studying 12 patients with either rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, average age of 52.5 years, who were taking between 1 and 5 medications, individuals were started on Infopeptides as an adjuvant supplement. The treatment lasted at least 3 months, and was given in a dose of 5 ml per day orally. The patients were instructed to keep the product in contact with the oral mucosa for 2-3 minutes, and then swallow it. If there was no improvement in 4 weeks, the dose was then doubled to 5 ml, 2 times a day. Clinical and subjective improvement (subjective and objective reduction or disappearance of pain, edema and inflammation, improvement in joint mobility and better tolerance to physical activity) was documented after 2 to 6 weeks of treatment in 10 out of 12 rheumatoid arthritis patients. Ten additional osteoarthritis patients, average age of 58.4 years, with disease duration of 6 months to 11 years (average 5.6 years), and who were all on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, entered the trial. Nine out of the 10 patients reported a significant reduction of pain, and showed clinical reduction of inflammation between 15 and 21 days after starting the therapy. Colostrum-derived products contain one or more immunomodulating agents that promote anti-inflammatory cytokine-type activity resembling the anti-inflammatory activity of cytokines 4, 10, 13, 15 and 16. The Infopeptides appear to act nonspecifically, allowing the organism to regain normal functioning patterns. This medication is given orally, and is low cost compared to other biological response modifiers. Its most profound effect is on pain relief. 

"Colostrum and Human Milk Inhibit Localized Adherence of Enteropathogenic Escherichia Coli to HeLA Cells", Silva, M. and Giampaglia, C., ACTA Pediatrica, 1992;81:266-7. It is noted that breast-feeding is related to protection from intestinal or respiratory infection. Secretory IgA may be responsible in part for this protection. This study showed that colostrum and human milk inhibit localized adherence of enteropathogenic escherichia coli in milk collected from 3 women, 4, 9 and 14 months after delivery. Colostrum and 3 samples of milk inhibited the adherence of all of the enteropathogenic E. coli.  

"Colostral Antioxidants: Separation and Characterization of 2 Activities in Human Colostrum", Beuscher, E. Stephen and McIlheran, Sara M., Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 1992;14:47-56. It is noted that human colostrum contains several antioxidants which prevent the detection of human polymorphonuclear leukocyte respiratory burst products. The authors conclude that colostrum contains at least 2 antioxidants, one of which is an ascorbate-like substance and the other is uric acid, which may function as traps for neutrophil-generated reactive oxygen metabolites. Uric acid is a free radical scavenger than binds iron, thereby inhibiting oxidation of ascorbate and peroxidative damage to lipid membranes.  It functions as a peroxyl radical trapping agent in human plasma and has been reported to be an inducible antioxidant compound in nasal secretions. It has been suggested that in primates the evolution-related loss of the ability to metabolize uric acid has lead to greater protection against oxidant injury. With greater antioxidant protection rates, the spontaneous neoplasia decreased and longevity increased, enhancing primary survival and evolution.  Uric acid is present in neutrophil-rich biological fluids, since it is a protective agent preventing against acute inflammation and/or tissue injury that can be mediated by neutrophil oxidative metabolism. Some have hypothesized that human milk is anti-inflammatory. This study of the antioxidant characteristics of 2 colostral antioxidant components, uric acid and an ascorbate-like material, support this concept. The authors feel that the anti- inflammatory effects of colostrum are due to a combination of factors, including these 2 materials and the contribution of other colostral components. 

In many then, adults also, the "beer belly" protrusion is probably as much fat buildup as it is inflammation and swelling of the lymphoid tissue surrounding the gut. 60% of the immune system is the first line of defense surrounding the gut. Foods eaten that antagonize it cause it to swell similar to how lymph nodes/glands at full activity swell in the neck.  As many cells are lost to the battle, the many new immature intestinal lining cells have yet to build a memory. The system falls into a permanent inflammatory "attack first, ask later mode" with its excess Th 1 (T helper 1) pro-inflammatory, tissue damaging, cytokine activity. It can be likened to a new born without the benefit of colostrum to help differentiate and build a memory (Infopeptides?) for what is safe to ingest and even benign foods are subject to attack. Food allergy and sensitivity, dysbiosis, H-pylori, Crohn's, Colitis, Enteritis, Ileitis, Celiac-Sprue, and Diverticulitis become very real. Here again, Biotics Research has developed three new remarkable products that help toward resolving this specific problem. Immuno-GG is bovine colostrum with its imprinted recognition capabilities available for the new cells shifting to the needed balance of Th 2 activity with immunoglobulins. Bio-HPF, developed by Dr Gary Lasneski, is a broad-spectrum herbal-based formula designed to address gastric inflammation and erosion caused by H-pylori bacteria. Recent studies show it to be effective in reducing or eliminating the antigen in over 80% of the cases where H-pylori has been identified in serum and stool testing. The immediacy of amelioration for some was particularly noted. IPS is another Dr. Lasneski formula, exquisitely designed intestinal permeability supplement to stimulate growth and repair of the intestinal mucosa as well as aiding in gut detoxification. Each capsule contains glutamine, glucosamine sulfate, Tillandsia root, Gamma Oryzanol, glutathione, Jerusalem artichoke, Lamb intestine concentrate and vegetable cellulase. Consider taking 2 of any of these products before meals. 

***Weight Loss Increases Adipose-Derived Anti-Inflammatory Adiponectin***
Two things here. First, keep your ears open for adiponectin. It is a newly
identified protein that may play a key role in hormone modulation of obesity
and inflammation. Second, we see the tangled web that is woven in health and
disease. As we gain adipose tissue, levels of adiponectin are reduced and
inflammation may rise, leading to many other disease states. Once the
dominoes of bad health begin to fall, the pieces are set in motion. On the
other hand, on the road back to health, once these factors start working in
our favor, many aspects of biochemistry fall back into place.
JCEM -- Abstracts: Yang et al. 86 (8): 3815
http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/86/8/3815

Weight Reduction Increases Plasma Levels of an Adipose-Derived Anti-Inflammatory Protein, Adiponectin

Wei-Shiung Yang, Wei-Jei Lee, Tohru Funahashi, Sachiyo Tanaka, Yuji Matsuzawa, Chia-Ling Chao, Chi-Ling Chen, Tong-Yuan Tai and Lee-Ming Chuang

Department of Internal Medicine (W.-S.Y., C.-L.C., T.-Y.T., L.-M.C.), Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine (W.-S.Y., L.-M.C.), College of Medicine, and Institute of Epidemiology (C.-L.C.), College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100; Department of Surgery (W.-J.L.), En Chu Kong Hospital, Taipei Hsien 237, Taiwan; and Department of Internal Medicine and Molecular Science (T.F., S.T., Y.M.), Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 565-0871, Osaka, Japan

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Lee-Ming Chuang, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, 7 Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan. E-mail: leeming@ha.mc.ntu.edu.tw.

Abstract

Adiponectin, an adipose tissue-specific plasma protein, was recently revealed to have anti-inflammatory effects on the cellular components of vascular wall. Its plasma levels were significantly lower in men than in women and lower in human subjects with obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or coronary artery disease. Therefore, it may provide a biological link between obesity and obesity-related disorders such as atherosclerosis, against which it may confer protection. In this study, we observed the changes of plasma adiponectin levels with body weight reduction among 22 obese patients who received gastric partition surgery. A 46% increase of mean plasma adiponectin level was accompanied by a 21% reduction in mean body mass index. The change in plasma adiponectin levels was significantly correlated with the changes in body mass index (r = -0.5, P = 0.01), waist (r = -0.4, P = 0.04) and hip (r = -0.6, P = 0.0007) circumferences, and steady state plasma glucose levels (r = -0.5, P = 0.04). In multivariate linear regression models, the increase in adiponectin as a dependent variable was significantly related to the decrease in hip circumference (ß = -0.16, P = 0.028), after adjusting body mass index and waist circumference. The change in steady state plasma glucose levels as a dependent variable was related to the increase of adiponectin with a marginal significance (ß = -0.92, P = 0.053), after adjusting body mass index and waist and hip circumferences. In conclusion, body weight reduction increased the plasma levels of a protective adipocytokine, adiponectin. In addition, the increase in plasma adiponectin despite the reduction of the only tissue of its own synthesis suggests that the expression of adiponectin is under feedback inhibition in obesity.